Do not force shots, play to strength in the paint

Not forcing shots is something that can be said about any team, but when you look at this Knicks’ roster, it is very clear to see that they are not close to being the most talented team in the league. 

They have six players, including Kemba Walker, averaging double-digit scoring, but nobody on their roster is really a consistent scorer. Even All-Star Julius Randle tends to struggle some nights from the floor! 

Because of their slow pace, the Knicks are not always able to get the shots they want, but their pace of play is not fully to blame for this. The Knicks’ offense tends to move the ball a lot on the perimeter and their one flaw right now is not getting Julius Randle opportunities in the low-post. 

Too many times, Randle is either catching the ball at the top of the arc or past the free-throw line, which ultimately makes things easier for the defenders. He is stronger and bigger than most of his opponents, but instead of taking one dribble and being at the rim, Julius Randle now has to work his way into the paint with 3-4 dribbles, allowing time for the opponent’s help defender to come over and double-team him. 

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Now, there is less than 10 seconds on the clock and the Knicks are scrambling looking to get a shot off before they settle with a 17-foot jumper or a contested three-pointer. 

Fixing some minor problems like this with their offense could really go a long way in the Knicks turning things around this season. Their philosophy and game plan on offense does not need to change, but little things like positioning and getting the ball into the paint needs to be emphasized more. 

The Knicks rank just 28th in the league in points in the paint this season, which needs to change. Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel are not big-time scorers at the center position, but utilizing them more in pick-and-roll situations, as well as getting Julius Randle involved more at the low-post, opens up this offense tremendously.